I've been listening to Joshua Redman's "Elastic" album with Brian Blade on drums. What an amazing musician BB is. IMHO, he is the heir to the great improvisational, musical drummers of the past. You never hear any chops wasted in his playing, only pure musical expression. There aren't many musicians, much less drummers, out there today playing like that.

Brian Blade is an undoubtedly amazing drummer. He can play a lot of styles extremely well. Check out the album "Directions in Music" with Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and Roy Hargrove. He plays great. Another really really good one is Gratitude by Chris Potter. He plays his butt off. Incredibly responsive and dynamic.

I've been listening to Joshua Redman's "Elastic" album with Brian Blade on drums. What an amazing musician BB is. IMHO, he is the heir to the great improvisational, musical drummers of the past. You never hear any chops wasted in his playing, only pure musical expression. There aren't many musicians, much less drummers, out there today playing like that.

Spot on Henry. Blade is certainly one of best of the newer jazz drummers out there. What I like is he accompanies and doesn't dominate. As you say that's a rare quality in drummers these days. There are some videos of him here as well.

I saw Brian with Wayne Shorter a week ago At massey Hall in Toronto.He knocked the house out.These are the kind of chops you don't here very often.He plays his own musical way.Just beautiful.One of my favorite players.
To here him is great , to actually see him is something Henry , that you will really love.This guy , Brian Blade with John Patitucci is such a spiritual awakening.

Last night I witnessed a truly spectacular live show by Daniel Lanois with Brian Blade on Drums at Summerfest 2006 in Deep River, Ontario Canada. The show was an incredible experience. I knew we were in for something special when the drums were set up at the front of the stage and not in the back as we usually see. The drumming was nothing I had ever seen, his passion for playing was obvious. I found myself spending more time watching his movements and sequences more than actually watching Daniel Lanois. If you ever have the opportunity to see Brian Blade live,GO FOR IT........you will not be disappointed!

Oh man Brian Blade... what a monster. His playing on elastic is crazy, but I like him even more on Chris Potter's Gratitude. Also, not only is he an amazing drummer, he's an amazing composer/writer as well. Check out the two Brian Blade Fellowship albums: awsome rich, modal stuff. A definite must listen!

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Dill, you mentioned his "fellowhip" group. Have you heard the 'Perceptual' full length? It was recommended to me a few weeks ago and it totally blew me away. I had really been that exposed to Mr. Blade's playing, but its absolutely spectacular on this record. It's not too drum heavy at all, its just really expertly composed and performed music. Great find.

Brian is in my opinion the most versatile drummer today. Just check out how many heavyweights he has been called to play with. He's been around for at least ten years albeit under the radar until recently. I have seen him play a number of times and each time I was floored on the amount of humanity and reverence for music he displays. I met him one and he was a very kind and humble person. His drums sound is so good too. Dig that old, cracked Avedis 24" with the bolts in it!

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Brian Blade is without a doubt one the the greats. I've seen him twice and he always leaves me truely inspired. He is one of those players that is a Musician first drummer second. Not that the guy doesn't have great chops, but he is one of the most musical drummers I have ever heard.

If any of you have not heard of Brian Blade, I suggest you go pick up The Wayne Shorter Quartet's "Beyond the Sound Barrier". I picked up the album on a whim because i heard that Brian Blade was good (not to mention Wayne Shorter isnt so bad himself). This album contains some of the best dynamic playing that i have ever heard. GO PICK IT UP!!!

It may be the best that u ever heard, but maybe not us. Neil peart has awesome dynamics and so does Tony willaims and Buddy Rich. But if in your opinion its the best, I will not agree or disaggree. : )

I love Brian Blade's playing as well. The Elastic and Momentum albums with Joshua Redman ar great. I'm trying to decide what other ones to get. I find that to really appreciate Brian's playing I have to listen with headphones. The subtleties and dynamics he uses are just awesome.

I hear you. Very subtle. I love Momentum. I heard a cut from it on Pandora first and he sounded familiar. Sounded similar to Marcus Baylor - Yellowjackets in his hi-hat phrasing. Marcus is another very subtle drummer. What he plays sounds simple, but when you listen close, it's quite complex.

Blade was just here in town with John Patitucci to kick off his new album "Line By Line." Unfortunately, I couldn't make it...:-(

I hear you. Very subtle. I love Momentum. I heard a cut from it on Pandora first and he sounded familiar. Sounded similar to Marcus Baylor - Yellowjackets in his hi-hat phrasing. Marcus is another very subtle drummer. What he plays sounds simple, but when you listen close, it's quite complex.

Blade was just here in town with John Patitucci to kick off his new album "Line By Line." Unfortunately, I couldn't make it...:-(

I didn't know about the new album. I will have to check it out. Thanks!

The opening track Kenny Garrett's Beyond the Wall...good lord. Thats like the deepest swing I've heard in forever. Brian and Mulgrew Miller sit so far back on that track. The whole record is great, but those first two songs are brilliant.

Yeah Brian is one of my drumheroe.
Of course, Beyond the wall is very interesting, I like the second track! Plus, I'm saxophoneplayer too! I like Pharoah Sanders a lot!
But his project with Wolfang Mutschpiel is very great too ( they play standards)